It is more likely that varicose veins will develop if other members in your family also have had them. Varicose veins will improve and disappear after you give birth.
Varicose veins during pregnancy
🩸What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are swollen veins🩸 that appear near the surface of the skin. Blue, red, or purple veins sometimes look ropelike and often conspicuously show up on your legs.🦵
You may experience some discomfort from varicose veins as they may make you feel itchy. The symptoms deteriorate if you stand on your feet all day.🧍🏼
🩸Causes of varicose veins
As your uterus keeps growing, it puts pressure on the pelvic blood vessels and further increases pressure in your leg veins.🦵 The extra volume of blood🩸 required for two healthy bodies also puts forces on the blood vessels in your legs, which are already working hard to fight against gravity to return blood to your heart.
A high level of progesterone hormone relaxes the walls of blood vessels, contributing to the formation of varicose veins. They may improve or disappear after you give birth.😃
How to prevent varicose veins
🩸Exercises
Keep yourself moving🚶. Exercise is key in preventing varicose veins. Take a walk or two each day. Do some low-key and gentle exercises to help increase blood circulation.😃
🩸Watch your weight
Although you need to gain weight to provide nutritions for your baby, keep your weight down to what doctors recommend.⚖️ Extra weight means extra work for your overworked circulatory system.
🩸Don’t sit or stand for too long
You shouldn't stand on your legs for the entire day. Take frequent breaks and move around.🚶
🩸Change your posture
Elevate your legs and feet to the level of the heart or higher by putting pillows below when you’re lying down.🛏️ Rest your legs on another chair or a box to make you feel more comfortable. Don’t cross your legs or ankles when sitting.🙅♀️